PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL TO MASSACHUSETTS DELEGATES IN CONGRESS.

Boston, May 10, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Enclosed you have an account of powder supplied the Army lately before Boston, by this Colony. We have not been able to procure the proper vouchers for the delivery of the whole of it to the Army; but as it was delivered on the day of the battle of Bunker-Hill, and other times of alarm and confusion, we trust that neglect will be excused. The account is not supposed to contain the whole of the powder which has been delivered to the Army, as it came through various channels. The greatest part herewith exhibited, was borrowed from our towns, who are anxious to have it replaced; but we are constrained to say, though with regret, that it is not in our power to replace it, we not having at present in our Colonial Magazine so much as a single barrel. It is true saltpetre is manufacturing in most of our towns with good success, but we have only one of our Powder-mills yet at work; the others, we hope, will be ready soon. In the mean time you, gentlemen, are desired to solicit the honourable Congress in our behalf, that the whole of the powder exhibited in this account may be refunded to us as soon as is practicable, or so much at the least as the safety of the continent will permit; which we most cheerfully submit, with our other publick concerns, to the decision of that honourable Assembly.

Agreeable to the recommendation of Congress, we have collected the sum of two thousand and sixteen pounds nine shillings, in hard money; four hundred pounds of which, with the bills, (amounting to the sum of twelve thousand dollars sent by Congress for the use of the regiment going on the Canadian service,) were delivered to Colonel Elisha Porter, Colonel of said regiment; the remaining sixteen hundred and sixteen pounds nine shillings, is in the hands of our Treasurer, and more is coming in. You, gentlemen, will send in the directions of Congress with regard to the disposition of what hard money we have got, and may be able to collect, and apply for bills to be sent us to be exchanged therefor.

We are sensible that the sum collected is very small in proportion to the expense of the Canadian expedition; but hard money is so very scarce among us that we have not as yet been able to collect any more.

I am, gentlemen, your very humble servant,

JAMES OTIS.

To the Hon. John Hancock, Esquire, and others, the Delegates of this Colony at the Continental Congress.

An account of the Powder delivered out of the Colony Magazine for the use of the Army before BOSTON.

Watertown, May 6, 1776.

This may certify that the several parcels of Powder above mentioned, were delivered out of the Colony Magazine under my care, for the use of the Army, agreeable to the several entries.

WILLIAM HUNT, Agent.

Massachusetts House of Representatives, May 10, 1776.

Resolved, as the opinion of this House, That the inhabitants of each Town in this Colony ought, in full meeting warned for that purpose, to advise the person or persons who shall be chosen to represent them in the next General Court whether that, if the honourable Congress should, for the safety of the said Colonies, declare them independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain, they, the said inhabitants, will solemnly engage, with their lives and fortunes, to support them in the measure.

SAMUEL FREEMAN, Speaker.

GENERAL LEE TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Williamsburgh, May 11, 1776.

DEAR GENERAL: I should be deficient in gratitude as well as duty if I did not recommend, in the strongest terms, Captain Grier. He has shown so much care, industry, zeal, and activity, that I entreat you will patronize him in the most particular manner. You will oblige me, therefore, in the highest degree, by taking him under your protection.

I am, dear General, affectionately and entirely yours,

CHARLES LEE.

To His Excellency General Washington.

AMERICAN FLAG.

Williamsburgh, Virginia, May 11, 1776.

The colours of the American fleet have a snake with thirteen rattles, the fourteenth budding, described in the attitude of going to strike, with this motto, “Don’t tread on me!”

It is a rule in heraldry, that the worthy properties of the animal in the crest borne shall be considered, and that the base ones cannot be intended. The ancients considered the snake or serpent as an emblem of wisdom, and (in certain attitudes) of endless duration. The rattlesnake is properly a representative of America, as this animal is found in no other part of the world. The eye of this creature excels in brightness that of any other animal; she has no eyelids, and is therefore an emblem of vigilance. She never begins an attack, nor ever surrenders; she is therefore an emblem of magnanimity and true courage. When injured, or in danger of being injured, she never wounds until she has given notice to her enemies of their danger; no other of her kind shows such generosity. When she is undisturbed, and in peace, she does not appear to be furnished with weapons of any kind; they are latent in the roof of her mouth, and even when extended for her defence, appear to those who Eire unacquainted with them, to be weak and contemptible; yet their wounds, however small, are decisive and fatal. She is solitary, and associates with her kind only when it is necessary for their preservation. Her poison is alone the necessary means of digesting her food, and certain destruction to her enemies. The power of fascination attributed to her (by a generous construction) resembles America. These who look steadily on her are delighted, and involuntarily advance towards her; and, having once approached her, never leave her. She is frequently found with thirteen rattles, and they increase yearly. She is beautiful in youth, and her beauty increases with her age; her tongue is blue, and forked as the lightning.

HUGH YOUNG TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Baltimore, May 11, 1776.

SIRS: Immediately on the alarm of Captain Squire’s being at the head of our bay, I ordered Captain Wise, of the Nancy, (who had not got far down the river,) up to our basin, where she now waits your further orders, and have also stopped loading out the schooner Ninety-two, which has got about three-fourths the cargo on board, and the remaining one in store ready to put on board. I shall be glad to know immediately what, in your opinion, is best to be done with those vessels and cargoes: whether I am to

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